By JACK HARDY
Published: | Updated:
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A relative of a 12-year-old stabbed to death was removed from court after a furious outburst as he came face-to-face with his alleged killer.
Leo Ross was attacked as he walked home from school in the Hall Green area of Birmingham on January 21.
The schoolboy was found by a member of the public with a stab wound to the stomach on the banks of the River Cole, close to Scrivers Lane. He died in hospital later that evening.
A 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is charged with murder, possession of a bladed article and four separate assaults, including one on the same day as the fatal attack.
Two of the attacks amounted to grievous bodily harm, prosecutors allege.
He is alleged to have committed grievous bodily harm against two separate women on January 19 and January 20. The teenager is further charged with assaulting a woman on January 21 and assaulting another woman on October 22 last year.
During a brief hearing at Birmingham Crown Court, the teenage defendant was brought into the dock dressed in a grey tracksuit and white t-shirt.
Leo's family were in the public gallery and one male relative had an angry outburst as he saw the defendant entering the dock.
Leo Ross, 12, (pictured) to death as he walked home from school in Birmingham
Floral tributes at the scene in Birmingham where Leo Ross was stabbed to death
The court clerk rushed over to the public gallery and ordered the relative to leave the court.
Neither of the defendant's parents were present at the hearing.
Judge Melbourne Inman KC remanded the defendant in custody to next appear at the start of his five-week trial at Coventry Crown Court from June 23.
Leo's family paid tribute to him in a statement released in January.
It said: 'We want everyone to know what an amazing, kind, loving boy Leo was. Not only has Leo's life been taken, all of our lives have as well.
'Leo will be truly missed by all of us. He was loved so much by everyone. The family want to thank the school, the police and everyone involved in the investigation and supporting us all through this horrific time.'
In the days after his death, a fundraiser was started by the foster family of the schoolboy, who were said to have cared for him for the past seven years.
The family are raising money for an anti knife charity, The Daniel Baird Foundation, named after a man who was stabbed to death in the city in 2017.
Leo was walking home from school when he was stabbed in the stomach on January 21
Police at the scene where Leo was stabbed to death
The GoFundMe page, written by relative Ishtiaq Shah, said Leo had been with his foster family for seven years, adding that the family 'devastated' by his loss.
The page said: 'I am the partner of Janet's daughter, Janet was Leo's guardian and loved him like her own.
'Leo Ross was in Janet's care for 7 years until he was taken from us on Tuesday 21st of January, and I have personally known Leo since the first day he came 7 years ago.
'We are all devastated with losing such a kind, bright and talented boy and although we can't think past the recent dreadful incident, we have decided to create an official fundraiser for those that want to give their love and support.'
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